Research Article

Association between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Published: October 07, 2014
Genet. Mol. Res. 13 (4) : 8066-8079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2014.October.7.1
Cite this Article:
Y.L. Li, Z. Tian, L. Zhao, C.L. Zhang (2014). Association between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Genet. Mol. Res. 13(4): 8066-8079. https://doi.org/10.4238/2014.October.7.1
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Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that a common functional polymorphism, rs4444903 (A>G), in the EGF gene might impact an individual’s susceptibility to liver cancer; however, individually published results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer risk. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CBM databases from inception through May 1st, 2013. Seven case-control studies were included with a total of 1408 liver cancer cases and 1343 healthy controls. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Our meta-analysis results indicated that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism might be associated with an increased risk of liver cancer (G allele vs A allele: OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.01-1.56, P = 0.040; GG + AG vs AA: OR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.27-2.15, P < 0.001; GG vs AA: OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.34-2.35, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity also showed significant associations between the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism and an increased risk of liver cancer among Asian, Caucasian, and African populations. No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis suggests that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism may increase the risk of liver cancer. The EGF rs4444903 (A>G) polymorphism can be useful as a biomarker in predicting the development of liver cancer.

Emerging evidence suggests that a common functional polymorphism, rs4444903 (A>G), in the EGF gene might impact an individual’s susceptibility to liver cancer; however, individually published results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between the EGF rs4444903 polymorphism and liver cancer risk. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CBM databases from inception through May 1st, 2013. Seven case-control studies were included with a total of 1408 liver cancer cases and 1343 healthy controls. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Our meta-analysis results indicated that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism might be associated with an increased risk of liver cancer (G allele vs A allele: OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.01-1.56, P = 0.040; GG + AG vs AA: OR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.27-2.15, P 0.001; GG vs AA: OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.34-2.35, P 0.001). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity also showed significant associations between the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism and an increased risk of liver cancer among Asian, Caucasian, and African populations. No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis suggests that the G variant of the rs4444903 polymorphism may increase the risk of liver cancer. The EGF rs4444903 (A>G) polymorphism can be useful as a biomarker in predicting the development of liver cancer.

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